Man killed himself after family row

A 21-YEAR-OLD man died in hospital days after he told his mother he was going to kill himself.

Samuel Uphill, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, was found in woods near his family’s home a short time after an argument with his mother.

An inquest into his death held at Cardiff Coroner’s Court heard he died four days later at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

In a statement read out by coroner Philip Spinney, Samuel’s mother Samantha Uphill said her son had not lived with her on Aeron Close in Barry for a number of years due to arguments between them.

She said he had moved between the homes of his father, herself and his sister, who lived in West Wales, but had recently found a more permanent place to stay in Barry.

Samantha said that at around 5pm on January 4 this year, she had an argument with Samuel outside her home.

She said the argument continued into the house, and she threatened to call the police if he did not leave.

The hearing was told Samuel then left the house and threatened to kill himself, and said he did not want her at his funeral.

As he had made similar threats before and gone to the same nearby woods off Severn Avenue, the family went to look for him there.

In a statement read out by Mr Spinney on behalf of Christian Harrison, Samuel’s father, he said he found Samuel and tried to revive him with the help of a neighbour.

Samuel was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he remained unconscious in a critical condition until his death on January 8.

Summing up, Philip Spinney said: “The evidence points to a spur of the moment decision made during an argument with his mother. Samuel chose a location which he had known his family would have looked for him.

“In this case it’s plain from the evidence that Samuel was responsible for his death but I am not satisfied to the extent that I am sure that it was his intention at all material times.”

Mr Spinney recorded a narrative conclusion, and said Samuel died “as a result of his own actions”.

Speaking after the hearing, Samuel’s mother Samantha Uphill said: “He was a funny guy, always joking around. He was a kind person.”

His sister Gemma Uphill described Samuel as an “adored uncle”.

“I have a lot of children and he spent a lot of time with them,” she said.

“He was a big part of our family, a big part of our lives.”

For confidential support, the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.